Board Member Spotlight: Jenny Holsman Tetreault
“We should be doing everything we can to put ourselves out of a job,” says United Food Bank and Waste Not board member Jenny Holsman Tetreault, an attorney with a passion for community service. “Until that happens, our family will be fully invested in eradicating hunger issues in our community.”
Jenny’’s journey toward community service began during her time at Arizona State University, where the university’s culture encouraged volunteering and giving back to the community. She initially volunteered with the United Way, raising funds and serving on a distribution council that allocated grants to various nonprofits. Her commitment to community service grew, and she found herself gravitating toward issues related to food insecurity and wellness.
Her involvement expanded to include participation in a Hunger Eradication Task Force for the United Way and volunteering with organizations like Waste Not, which focuses on redirecting surplus food to those in need instead of letting it go to waste. Jenny’s journey took a pivotal turn when she joined US Foods, a national food distribution company, aligning her personal passions with her professional endeavors.
The company’s geographic proximity to Scottsdale and Tempe, coupled with its commitment to serving the community, laid the groundwork for Jenny’s involvement with Waste Not, and ultimately the United Food Bank Board of Directors.
United Food Bank’s mission deeply resonated with Jenny. “First, I think it’s critical that kids go to school with full bellies so that they can learn and ultimately be incredible assets and members of our community. Then, there is significant food waste in our community, where fresh vegetables and fruits and produce are being thrown away. It is devastating because there’s a huge need. But that’s where the combined missions of United Food Bank and Waste Not work to address these critical community issues.” She is particularly invested in ensuring that no one goes hungry and appreciates the organization’s multifaceted approach, providing food for today while also working toward ensuring food for tomorrow.
Jenny’s commitment goes beyond volunteering herself; she actively encourages families to get involved, making a difference together. Her children, Madeline and Connor, have taken personal initiatives, showcasing the impact even a small contribution of $5 can have on the community. They have initiated donation drives and have become advocates for philanthropy, proving that everyone, regardless of age, can make a meaningful impact. She described their active participation in initiatives like Scouting for Food, where Cub Scouts organize food drives, collecting donations that benefit local food banks. Pack 6, where Jenny serves as a volunteer, has made significant contributions by donating over 5,000 pounds of food on a consistent basis. This effort emphasizes the importance of instilling philanthropy and community service values in the younger generation.
As a board member of United Food Bank and Waste Not, Jenny Holsman Tetreault’s journey stands as a testament to the transformative power of community service. Her story serves as an inspiration for others to get involved, emphasizing each contribution, no matter how small, helps build a stronger, more compassionate community.
For more information on how you can take part in serving your community, visit https://www.unitedfoodbank.org/volunteer/
Written by KC Raguay
